Projection table



Jan. 19, 1965 5. J. ZAGEL 3,166,028

PROJECTION TABLE Filed Dec. 10, 1962 050/7206 b LJJLL7 l:

w g/hwf/lewldaw United States Patent Oil ice 3,166,028 PRDJECTIQN TABLE Samuel J. Zagel, Chicago, 111., assignor to Compaq Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Dec. 16, 1962, Ser. No. 243,267 6 (Ilaims. ((11. 1133-25) This invention relates to a projector table and, more particularly, to a projector table equipped with a uniquely integrated control center.

The invention finds particular utility in supporting a movie or slide projector for amateur operation. It is contemplated that a principal usage will be in the homea game room, or the like-where the usage will not be regularly scheduled.

There has been a real need for such a stand or table, but this has not been met by prior devices. The important characteristics which all must be present in such a structure include: (1) stability; (2) low cost; and (3) ease and convenience of storage. Without stability of high order, it is possible to damage expensive projection equipment, yet the usual infrequent usage does not ustify a complex construction, and the further requirement of ease of putting the table away also detracts from the stability normally encountered in a ponderous, fourlegged table.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a projection table which meets these requirements, i.e., being stable, relatively inexpensive, and readily collapsible for storage in a compact form.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel projector-supporting stand wherein one portion of the projector-supporting platform is uniquely contoured and integrated into the overall stand construction to provide an advantageous control center whereby the projectionist has all of the necessary equipment and controls close at hand and which further structurally cooperates with the remainder of the stand to promote the achievement of the above-mentioned prerequisites.

, Other objects and advantages of the invention, both general and specific, may be seen in the details or" construction and operation set down in' this specification.

The invention is explained in conjunction with an illustrative embodiment in the accompanying drawing, in Which- FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of the projector table in its operative condition, i.e., adapted to support a movie projector, slide projector, etc.;

FIG. 2 is another perspective elevational view of the inventive construction, but wherein the construction has been collapsed for storage until the next use;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the configuration seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the FIG. 1 configuration; and

, FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the sight line 5-5 as applied to FIG. 3.

In the illustration given, and with particular reference to FIG. 1, the numeral designates the inventive projector stand or table, and includes a projector-supporting platform generally designated 11 adapted to extend generally horizontally when in the operative condition seen n FIG. 1.

The platform 11 is supported above the floor or over horizontal surface by means of a first supporting mem- Each of the supporting members 12 and 13 is U-shaped to define a generally horizontally-extending base portion 15 and generally vertically extending leg portions 16 in the case of member 12, and 17 in the case of member 13.

As can be best seen in FIG. 3, the member 12 is fixed in pivotal relation to the platform 11 as at 18, while the member 13 is releasably connected to the platform 11 as at 19. The members 12 and 13 are pivotally interconnected as at 20 at a point intermediate the length of the respective leg portions 16 and 17.

The lower platform 14 is fixed in pivotal relation to the member 13 as at 21 and is releasably connected to the member 12 "as at 22.

It will be seen, particularly from FIG. 5, that the member 13 is positioned within the member 12, i.e., the leg portions 17 are positioned between the leg portions 16, and the lower platform 14 fits within the leg portions 17 of the member 13. Also as seen from FIG. 3, the length of the upper portion of the member 13, i.e., between the points 19 and 21), is shorter than the corresponding dimension in the member 12, i.e., betweenthe points 18 and 20.

Operation in general To convert the table 10 from the configuration seen in FIG. 1 to that generally designated 10 and illustrated in FIG. 2, it is only necessary to pivot the lower platform 14 upwardly and disengage the upper portion of the support member 13 from its pivotal connection as at 19 from the main platform 11. The lower platform 14, for this purpose, can be rotated about 240 to the position designated 14' in FIG. 2, after which the support 13 is readily releasable from the connection as at 19. Thereupon, the upper platform 11 pivots under the influence of gravity to the position of alignment with the member 12 as designated 11 in FIG. 2.

For the purpose of securing the members 12 and 13 to the platform 11, the platform 11 is equipped with depending lugs 23 (seen only in FIG. 3), which are apertured as at 24 to receive the horizontal base portion 15 of the first supporting member 12. This is a fixed connection (at 18), permitting pivotal movement but not release or disengagement of the member 12 from the platform 11. Thus, there is no possibility that the table 10 can be improperly assembled.

For the purpose of releasably securing the horizontal base portion 15 of the second supporting member 13, the platform is equipped with a pair of depending lugs 25 suitably notched as at- 26, the lugs 25 being positioned adjacent the front longitudinal side 27 of the table 10. In this connection, it will be appreciated that the horizontally disposed base portion 15 extend generally longitudinally of the rectangular platform 10.

Still referring to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the platform 11 is defined by a top wall 28 which is downwardly and outwardly inclined as at 29 toward the front side wall 27. The inclined portion 29 provides a control center, as can be appreciated better from a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 4. The control center generally designated 30 in FIG. 1 includes outlets 31 adapted to receive .plugs from lamps or other light fixtures illuminating the room in which the projector table 10 is positioned. These outlets 31 are controlled by a switch 32 so that the projectionist is Patented Jan. 19,

. a 3 enabled to'darken the room at will. Another outlet 33 is provided, and controlled by switch34, to receive the 'plugof a projector which may be positioned atop the platform 11. Still further, a switch 35 is provided for controlling'a light bulb 35 positioned below the control,

center 38 and in alignment with a translucent panel 36. The panel 36 can be used as an advantageous scanning means for viewing slides prior to introducing the same into a slide projector. A conventional cord as at 37 in FIG. 3 may be employed to deliver electrical current through the control center from a source not shown. The entire electrical work under the control center 30 is conveniently housed within a casing 30a (seen only in FIG. 3) and which provides, a mounting for the clips 25 releasably engaging the second supporting member 13.

7 in the area generally adjacent the end wall 33, is equipped with a recess41 which is adapted toreceive a film can or reel, the recess 41 having portions shaped in cylindrical segments, as can be appreciated from FIG. 3. In this case, the axis of the cylindrical segmental configuration extends generally horizontally. V

The platform 11 is equipped with a generally perimetric raised rib or lip 42 (see FIGS. 1 and 2, particularly) and which serves to define a projector-supporting portion designated 28a in FIG.'4. The projector-supporting portion 28a is equipped with depressed ribs as at 2811 and is slightly lower than the portion of the platform top 41a surrounding the recess 41.

The lower platform 14 is also equipped with a peri-, metric upstanding rib as at 43 in FIG. 3, and the rib 43 is formed on itself to define depending perimetric walls as at 44. Two of the walls 44 are slotted as at 45 for the receipt of a rod 46 extending between the leg portions 16 of the first supporting member 12. It will also be noted 4 jacent one longer side thereof, means for releasably connecting said second support to. said platform adjacent the other longer side to dispose said platform horizontally, and a reel can receiving-well formed in said platform adjacent and parallel to one ofthe shorter sides, said well having arcuate wall. portions to define a cylindrical segment for supporting a 'reel can in upstanding position.

2. A projector table comprising a generally rectangular platform, a first U-shaped support fixed to the underside of said platform, a second U-shaped support pivotal- -ly fixed to said first'support for movement from a platform supporting position to a position of nesting with said first support for storage of said table, lock means on the underside of said platform for releasably engaging said second support whereby said platform is adapted to be supported horizontally with the .base portion of that an end portion 47 of the lower platform 14 is raised a slightly relative to the major extent of the top wall 48 and in this portion 47 a segmental cylindrical recess 49 is provided for the, receipt of additional film cans or reels. Further, the portion 48 is equipped with depending ribs as at 48a, extending generally transversely of the length of the horizontal base portion 15 of the first member 12, as do the ribs 28b. a

In the operation of the structure just'described, the control center 30 cooperates advantageously with the remainder of the structure in providing a beveled or inclined surface facilitating manipulation of the various controls and eliminating any sharp corner which might be ac-' cidentally touched to upset the table '10. Also, the provision of the control center and the casing30a permits a short and rugged clip or hook construction asat 25 so as to accommodate the shorter, upper leg portions 17:;

tion of an embodiment of the invention has been set down for the purpose of explanation thereof, it will be understood that many variations in the details herein given mayv be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A projector table comprising a generally rectangular platform providing pairs of longer and shorter sides, first and second supports interconnected for nesting for storage, said first support being pivotally fixed to said platform adeach U-shaped support uppermost, a wellhaving the general shape of a cylindrical segment in said platform between said base portions of said supports, and electrical connection means secured to said platform;

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said well has a generally box-like further recess at the bottom thereof,

4. A projector table comprising a platform, a first U- shaped support pivotally fixed to the underside of said platform, a second U-shaped support pivotally secured to said first support for movement from a platform-mp1 porting position to a position of nesting with said first support for storage of said table, lock means on the underside of said platform for releasably engaging said second support whereby said platform is adapted to be supported substantially horizontally with the closed portion of each U-shaped support being uppermost, said platform including a top wall providing said platform underside and equipped with depending side and end walls to define a generally shallow, rectangular, open-bottomed configuration having an inclined portion along one side wall to provide. a control panel coupled to a source of electricity and being centrally equipped along one end Wall with a can-receiving recess having the general shape of a cylindrical segment.

5. A projector table comprising a platform, a first U- shaped support pivotally fixed to the underside of said platform, a second U-shaped support pivotally secured' to said first support for movement from a platform-supporting position to a position of nesting with said first support for storage of said table, lock means on the untion of each U-shaped support being uppermost, said plat-.

form including a top wall providing said platform underside and equipped with depending side and end walls to define a generally shallow, rectangular, open-bottomed configuration having an inclined portion along one. side wall to provide a control panel coupled to a source of electricity and being centrally equipped along one end Wall with a can-receiving recess having the general shape of a cylindrical segment,.said table being equipped with a second platform pivotally connected to said second sup: port below the pivotal interconnection of said first and second supports, said first support being equipped a horizontally extending rod, slot means in said second platform for receiving said rod, said second platform being equipped also with a well having the general shape of a cylindrical segment for the. receipt ofa reel can,

said wells being in vertical alignment when said platforms are both disposed horizontally.

6. A. projector table comprising a platform, a first U- shaped support pivotally fixed to the underside of said platform, a second U-shaped support pivotally secured to said first support for movement from a platform-supporting position to a position of nesting with said first support for storage of said table, lock means on the underside of said platform for releasably engaging said sec-.

ond support whereby said platform is adapted to be supt g v o ported substantially horizontally with the closed portion said platform adjacent a corner thereof,-and a cylindrical of each U-shaped support being uppermost, said platrecess in said top fiat portion. form including a top wall groviding said platform underside and equipped with depending side and end walls to References Cited in the file of this patent define a generally shallow, rectangular, open-bottorned 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS configuration having an inclined portion along one side i I wall to provide a control panel coupled to a source of 32 g fff W 2: electricity and being centrally equipped along one end i 5 f 1959 wall with a can-receiving recess having the general shape 3 2 1963 of a cylindrical segment, said inclined portion terminating 10 3 ggp 2 22 1963 short of said one end Wall to provide a flat portion in 

1. A PROJECTOR TABLE COMPRISING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR PLATFORM PROVIDNG PAIRS OF LONGER AND SHORTER SIDES, FIRST AND SECOND SUPPORT INTERCONNECTED FOR NESTING FOR STORAGE, SAID FIRST SUPPORT BEING PIVOTALLY FIXED TO SAID PLATFORM ADJACENT ONE LONGER SIDE THEREOF, MEANS FOR RELEASABLY CONNECTING SAID SECOND SUPPORT TO SAID PLATFORM ADJACENT THE OTHER LONGER SIDE TO DISPOSE SAID PLATFORM HORIZONTALLY, AND A REEL CAN RECEIVING-WELL FORMED IN SAID PLATFORM ADJACENT AND PARALLEL TO ONE OF THE SHORTER SIDES, SAID WELL HAVING ARCUATE WALL PORTIONS TO DEFINE A CYLINDRICAL SEGMENT FOR SUPPORTING A REEL CAN IN UPSTANDING POSITION. 